Uncle Barky's Countdown to Christmas (Episode 2)
12/16/14 12:15 PM
This surprisingly forward-looking clip from 1949’s The Cowboy and the Indians finds Gene Autry in the saddle and singing “Here Comes Santa Claus” while riding next to -- Santa Claus.
Behind them are canvas-covered trucks emblazoned with “Gifts From America To The First Americans.” The destination is a school house full of Native American kids, who happily join in the song. Watch for Jay Silverheels (later to become Tonto on The Lone Ranger) standing proudly alongside them.
Autry had a hit with both this song and, of course, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. And the late “Singing Cowboy” never looked better than when performing this good deed.
Ed Bark
@unclebarkycom on Twitter
Behind them are canvas-covered trucks emblazoned with “Gifts From America To The First Americans.” The destination is a school house full of Native American kids, who happily join in the song. Watch for Jay Silverheels (later to become Tonto on The Lone Ranger) standing proudly alongside them.
Autry had a hit with both this song and, of course, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. And the late “Singing Cowboy” never looked better than when performing this good deed.
Ed Bark
@unclebarkycom on Twitter